Yarn-feeding mechanism for knitting-machines.



H. SWINGLEHURST. YARN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5. 19H.

Patented Jan. 28

273 27a avr lEls f a7' so /a H. SWINGLEHURST. YARN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED 0.CT. 5.19II. 1,292,917. Patented Jan.28,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. SWINGLEHURST.

YARN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 5. 19H.

l1,292,91 '7. Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

UNITEDV STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY SWINGLEHURST, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SCOTT & WILLIAMS, INCORPORATED, A. CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

Application led October 5, 1911. Serial No. 653,001.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY SWINGLEHURST, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston. in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Yarn-Feeding Mechanism for Knitting-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines and particularly to knitting machines of the circular4 type adapted for knitting stockings, hose, etc.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through thel needle c vlinder and cam ring of the machine and showing the feeding mechanism mainly in side elevation.

Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive are side elevations of the pattern drum segregating the por-A tions thereof co-acting with the several yarn lingers and the yarn severing device;

Fig. 7 is a'plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the pattern drum and parts directly associated therewith;

Fig. 9 is a View partly in vertical section through the pattern drum to show the manner of assembling the cams therein;

Fig. 10 is a rear elevation of the pattern drum and parts co-acting therewith;

Fig. 11v is a plan view of the yarn severing mechanism and clamp;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of severing mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of one of the levers for operating upon the yarn fingers;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of one of the yarn lingers;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the flange of the needle cylinder and showin the cam carried thereby to operate the splicing yarn finger;

Fig. 16 is a detail showing in side-elevation a portion of said cam;

Fig. 17 is a detail mainly in vertical section showing the cushioning lstop device the yarn carried by the latch ring to hold the needle cylinder depressed;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the cam by which the actuating lever for the splicing yarn guide is thrown into operation, and

Fig. 19 is a transverse section upon the dotted line 19-19 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 20 is a detail in perspective showing the yarn throat. or opening in the latchring, the knitting needles and one of the yarn-fingers in position to feed a body and a plating yarn.

The yarn feeding mechanism herein disclosed is more partlcularly adapted for use in connection With circular knitting machines of the independent latch needle type, although obviously the same may be employed in other types of knitting machines. I have chosen to represent the same in connection with a knitting machine generally similar to that shown in the patent to George D. Mayo, No. 726,178, April 21, 1903. In said patent, the needle cylinder is represented as stationary and the cam ring as rotatable. While my invention may be adapted to such type ofmachine, I have herein shown it as adapted to a machine having a rotary needle cylinder and stationary cam ring which arrangement is preferable, first. because higher speeds are attainable since less mass is in motion during the knitting operation and secondly, because in multiple feed machines to which my invention is adapted. or where yarn changers or splicers are employed and where a number of bobbins are used, these bobbins can occupy a stationary position instead of revolving about the axis of the machine as they must when the needle cylinder is stationary and the cam ring is caused to rotate or reciprocate.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the needle cylinder carrier is represented at 1, it having a flange 2 formed at its outer edge with beveled teeth 3, whereby the same may be rotated by a beveled gear (not shown) in any suitable manner from the main drive shaft 4. The flange 2 rests upon the bed plate 5 supported in any suitable manner. Surrounding the needle cylinder carrier 1 is the needle cylinder proper composed of the body ring 6 and the clamping ring 7 at. the lower end thereof. Suitably secured in the upper end of the body ring 6 is the sinker cylinder 8 wherein the sinkers are mounted for radial movement, as more fully disclosed in said patent. EX- terior to the sinker cylinder is the sinker cam ring 9 acting upon the sinkers to move them radially in the sinker ring. The outer face of the body ring 6 is provided with vertical grooves in which are positioned the needle walls or spacing bars 10. Exterior to the needle cylinder is the cam ring 11 herein represented as stationary and preferably provided with a single knitting cam of the type shown in the Mayo patent, although other knitting cam mechanism may be employed. Although I have herein shown the` needle cylinder as rotatable and the cam ring as stationary, it is evident that my invention is not limited to or for use with such construction.

The machine herein represented is par ticularly intended for knitting stockings provided with a garter top, a leg Whlch may be plated or not as desired and a high spliced ankle and sole. It is to be understood, however, that the feeding mechanism is such that any yarn may be thrown into operation as desired, so that the character of the stocking may be widely varied byy the practice of my invention. l

I have herein represented a feeding mechanism provided with four yarn fingers A, B, C, D, each of which as more clearly represented in Figs. 1 and 14 is provided with two holes or passages a, b, through one of which a silk yarn may be introduced and through the other of which a cotton or other yarn may be introduced to form a plated stockin in a manner not herein necessary more ully to describe. Each of said yarn fingers is pivoted adjacent its upper end upon a stud or pin 12 supported by ears or extensions projecting upwardly from the latch ring 13 which is pivoted at 14 upon a post or bracket 15, and having diametrically opposite the post 15 a forwardly projecting ear 16 adapted to interlock with the upper end of a post 17 uprising from the bed plate of the machine.

' Although I have shown four yarn ngers,

it is to be understood that I am not restricted thereto.

As herein illustrated, the said yarn fingers are adapted to control respectively the splicing yarn introduced for the heel and sole on substantially one half the needles; a cotton or other yarn introduced just prior to the formation of the toe and for the formation of the arter top; a silk, yarn introduced for plating theleg; and one or two yarns such as a heavy and a light yarn or a silk or a linen or cotton yarn introduced for the formation of the heel and toe. Inasmuch as a separate finger is provided for the splicing yarn, it is evident that such yarn may or may not be employed Legaal? in knitting the heel and toe. Preferably and as herein shownI such splicing yarn is introduced only for the ankle and for the sole. Obviously the yarn fingers may be employed for introducing yarns otherwise than as herein indicated.

As best shown in Fig. 20, plating will usually be done by feeding both yarns from one yarn-finger, preferably one of those `on the side of the rectangular yarn-throat or opening in the latch-ring which is first reached by a needle approaching the stitch cams in the direction for rotary knitting. When the face-yarn is threaded through the hole a, and the body-yarn through the hole I), Fig. 14, the face yarn reeves from the last-passed corner of the yarn-throat and will be taken high up in the hooks of the needles, owing to the outward radial osition of the bottom of hole a, while the ody yarn fed from hole b, at a point much nearer the needles, will extend against their faces at a Hatter angle, virtually lower with respect to the hooks of the down-going needles than the face yarn.

The body yarn is kept near lthe needles by the inner edge of the bottom wall of the yarn throat, over which it passes at a point separated from the corner through which the face yarn runs, by reason of the radial separation of holes a and 7), as will be clear fromv Figs. l, 7, 14 and 20.

Upon the pivot 14 of the latch ring I loosely mount a pattern drum composed of a hub 18 having a series of spaced flanges 19 between which are adapted to be removably4 positioned a series of segmental cams 20, 21, the number of rows of cams in said series depending upon the number of yarn fingers. Each of these cams is bored for the reception of a bolt or screw 21 passing through holes 22 in the disks 19. Each cam 21 is provided with a rounded outer corner 23 up onto whichthe yarn manipulating lever for the respective yarn finger is adapted to ride. Each of the cams 20 is truly segmental in shape and they are adapted to be positioned circumferentially beyond the cams 21 in such number as may be called for by the structure of the stocking to be produced. A'S is evident from Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive, a series of eight or a lesser number of cams may be positioned between adjacent disks of the pattern drum.

P ivoted at 24 upon a stud supported -by projections124 vertically above the axis of the pattern drum, is mounted a series of levers A', B, ,C and D corresponding in number with the yarn fingers A, B, C and D. Each of said levers is shown as provided with an enlarged or rounded end 25 adapted to engage a lug or ear 26 upon the rear of the respective yarn fingers below the pivot thereof, so that when the yarn lever is forced radially inward into inactive position.

The latch ring 13 is recessed adjacent its lower edge upwardly at a point beneath the pivot of the yarn lingers, so as to permit said yarn ngers to be moved into and out of aotive position. In order that the latch ring may be circumferentially complete from a point below the spoons of latches of the needles upwardly, so that when one half the needles are elevated during narrowing and widening the latches thereof may be protected, I have provided each of the yarn fingers A, B, C, D, .with'two legs or members 27, 28, the inner edges thereof being adapted to be respectively positioned flush with the inner face of the latch ring when said lingers are in either l position. In other words, the circlel of the latch ring is complete above the needle latches whatever be the position of the yarn fingers. Each of the yarn fingers is provided with an upwardly extending ear or projection 271, the outer edge whereof is adapted to take against a pin or stud 272 carried by brackets 273 extending upwardly from the support for the yarn fingers. When any yarn finger' is moved into inactive position so that the inner edge of its member 28'is flush with the inner face of the 30 latch ring, the said ear or projection takes against the pin 272. In order to hold the levers A', B', C', D in contact with the pattern drum and also to move the yarn fingers into active position except when moved into inactive position by said levers A", B', C', D', I provide springs 274 connected to said levers and yarn fingers. In order that the parts may beset so as to position one or the other leg or member of each yarn finger with its inner face flush with the inner face of the latch ring, I provide adjustable means herein preferably effected by longitudinally slotting the upper end of each of the levers A', B', C', D', as indicated at 27'. Into the portion 28 of each lever thus provided, I tap a set screw 29, the inner end of which bears against the other member 30 of the yarn 1ever. permitting theamember 30 to be forced I slightly away from the member 28, thus effecting a very minute adjustment.

holdthe parts in adjusted position, I have provided a pla-te 31, through which the set screw 29 is tapped and which also receives a` screw 32 tapped into the end of the yarn lever. Each screw 32 when tightened strains the plate 31 against the threads of the adjusting screw 29, so as to hold said adjusting screw in adjusted position.

Any suitable means may beprovided to rotate the pattern drum. Herein for that purpose, I have provided an operating lever 33 piv'oted at 34 upon a stud mounted in the post 15. The upper end 35 of said operating lever is adapted to bear against apin 36 6'5 upon a lever 37 loosely pivoted upon the axle of the pattern drum at one side thereof, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 8. The upper end of said lever 37 is provided withl a pawl 38 adapted to take into the teeth 39 (Fig. 8) formed upon the pattern drum, 70 thereby to rotate the same step by step. Recovery of lever 37 and pawl 38 after actuation by lever 35 may be 4secured in any suitable manner, as by a springl 37'.

I provide means to hold the yarn fingers in fixed position with respect to the latch ring and the pattern drum when the latch rin is swung upon its pivot into inactive position. For this purpose I have herein shown in Figs. 8 and 10 a pawl y38' pivoted 80 upon a lateral projection 38" from the lever 37 and adapted when the latch vring is swung upwardly on its pivot to engage a notch 39v in a part of the latch-ring, and thus to interpose the pawl 38' between thev latch-ring 85 and the lever 37, to prevent movement of said lever and its pawl with respect to the ratchet teeth 39, the pattern drum, its actuating lever andthe latch-ring all swinginfr bout the axis 14 infixed relation to 4eacli 90 other. Movement of the pattern drum in the direction in which it is driven by pawl 38 is prevented by the engagement of the spring pressed levers A',.B, C, D with its surface. When the latchuing is in active position, the pawl 38 is held out of engagement with the notch 39 by a guard 39.v A spring 38 holds the pawls 38 and 38 toward their ratchet and notch, respectively.

In order to rock the operating lever 33, I have herein provided an arm 40 pivoted at 41 to the lower end of said operating lever, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1. The lower inner end of said lever 40 is forked as indicated at 41', 41' about the main drive 105 shaft 4. Said lever 40 carries a .roller 42 adapted periodically to bear against a cam 43 fast upon the main drive shaft 4, a spring 44 being provided to force said lever 40 inwardly until the roller 42 thereof contacts 110 with said cam 43. Preferably I provide means whereby roller 42 maybe held positively out of engagement with the cam 43.

F or-that purpose I have herein represented a link 45 extending upwardly .from and op- 115 erated by the main pattern' mechanism ofthe machine` not herein necessary to disclose.

At its upper en'd, said link 45 is pivotally connected at 46 to an arm 47 pivoted at 48 upon the framing of the machine. The link 45 and arm 47 are adapted periodically to be drawn downwardly by said main pattern mechanism. The pin 46'of the arm 47 is adapted when the arm and link are in their upper position to take under a shoulder 50 125 upon said arm 40, thereby holding the roller 42 on the latter out of the range of the cam 43. Whemhowever, the link 45 and arm 47 are drawn downward b v the main pattern drum mechanism, the pin 46 is removed 130 from engagement with the shoulder 50, thereby permitting the said arm 40 to be forced by its spring inwardly so as to brin its roller 42 in the path of rotation of sai cam 43, thus imparting an intermittent rocking movement to the said pattern drum operating lever 33.

Each of the yarn fingers has, as described, an inactive and an active position. IVhen in its active position the yarn is introduced to all the needles and when the yarn finger is in its inactive position, the yarn is wholly out of the path of the needles. Inasmuch, however, as I desire to splice the stocking at, for example, the ankle and the sole, I introduce the ,splicing yarn at such points and then feed the yarn to but one half or substantially one half the needles. That is to say, at each rotation of the needle cylinder, the splicing yarn is introduced to substantially one half the needles, being the needles which form the back of the ankle above the heel and the sole of the foot. As previously stated, the splicing yarn may, if desired, be in action during the formation of the heel and toe, and at any other desired period in the formation of the stocking.l

I therefore provide means whereby the splicing yarn may be intermittently thrown into and then out of action, so as to cause it to feed only one half the circle of needles as described. As herein disclosed, any one of the yarn fingers may be used to introduce the splicing yarn, and I have accordingly provided means whereby that one of the yarn lingers selected to introduce thev splicing yarn may be thrown into and out of action at each rotation of the needle cylinder as de scribed.

In order to permit any one of the yarn fingers to be used for splicing and in order to permit the described adjustment, I have herein provided a so-called floating lever 51 pivoted at 52 upon a bolt or slide 53 mounted in a laterally adjustable sleeve or guide 53X inthe post 15. At its upper end, the floating leverl 51 is positioned between guideways 54 formed'on the under face of the plate 55, it being understood that the number of guideways for the upper end of the floatin lever 51 corresponds with the number and position of yarn lingers so as to permit i manual lateral adjustment of said lever. The

inner edge of the plate 55 acts as a stop against which the yarn fingers are drawn by the springs 274v into active position with their members 28 flush with the inner face of the latch ring as previously described. The lower end of said floating lever is received within any one of a corresponding number of guideways 56 upon the post 15. In order to impart sliding movement to the bolt or slide 53 and thereby to change the position of the pivot 52 of said floating lever 51, I have herein provided a cam 57 shown maaar? in plan in Fig. 18, saidcam being secured toy a ring 57 mounted in guides 57" upon the under face of the bed plate 5, and to which at proper times a movement of partial rotation or circumferential adjustment is imparted by link 572 connected to arm 571 on vertical shaft 570, inorder to cause said cam 57 to move said floating lever into active position. Said shaft 570 preferably corresponds to the shaft 92 shown in said Mayo Patent No. 726,178 and nlay be periodically o-scillated as disclosed in said patent. Upon the pivot 34 of the pawl operating lever 33, I loosely mount a lever 58, the upper end whereof is adapted to bear against the outer end of the slide or bolt 53. The lower end of said lever 58 has pivoted thereto at 59 a spring-pressed latch 60, whose inner end 61 is adapted to bear against the edge` of the cam 57, thereby to hold the lever 58 in the position shown, thus moving the floating lever 51 bodily inward. By manually elevatin the inner end of the latch 60 it may be re eased from engagement with the cam 57 thus permitting the lever 58 to be moved into reverse position by the spring 62.

Just below the lower end of the floating lever 51 and mounted in a guide Way in the post 15 is a block or slide 63 having an upstanding foot 64 adapted to be engaged by the foot 65 of the floating lever 51 when the latter is in its inner or active position as shown in Fig. 1, and thereby to move'said block radially inward into the position shown, it being evident that the spring 274 connected to that yarn feeding finger on which said floating lever is adapted to act, tends to force the upper end of said floating lever outward and hence its foot and the block 63 inward. When the floating lever is in the active position shown in Fig. 1, it thereby moves the block 63 into position to be engagedl by a segmental cam 66 (Fig. 15) upon the flange 2 of the rotating needle cylinder, thereby at each revolution of said cylinder to cause the upper end of said floating lever to act upon that yarn finger opposite which it is then positioned and which yarn finger is then serving to feed the splicing yarn to the 'back of the ankle and the sole of the foot. rl'hus, when the floating lever has been moved into its inner or active position by the lever 58, it thereby brings the block 63 into the range of the cam 66 whereby the corresponding yarn finger is moved into and then out of action during each rotation of the needle c linder so as to feed its yarn to substantial y one half the circle of the needles and then to retract the same therefrom. When the floating lever 51 occupies its inactive or outer position, the block or slide 63 occupies thatouter position into which it hasbeen moved by the cam 66 and consequently said cam no longer imparts movement 'to said slide.

In order to permit the floating lever 51 to be laterally and manually adjusted, so as to permit it to act upon any yarn finger as a splicing yarn finger, I have, as shown in Fig. 10, provided the outer headed end of the sleeve or guide 53X of the bolt or slide 53 with slots 67 to receive screws 68 by which said sleeve or guide, and therefore the floating lever may be held in laterally adjusted position. The post 15 is laterallyY slotted to 'permit the guide 53) and the slide or bolt 53 to be moved laterally, thereby to effect the described adjustment of the floating lever 51.

When the latch-ring 13 is lifted, floating lever 51 is freed from the guideway 54 at its top, so that upon loosening the screws 68 guide 53X can be tipped upward to release the lower end of lever 51 to permit the guide 53x to be shifted laterally to coperate with a different yarn-guide.

In order that the floating lever in its adjusted position may be actuated at the proper periods, I provide means for adjusting the segmental cam 66, so that it may properly co-act with the floating lever in its adjusted position. To that end, said cam 66 is, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, formed of two parts 66, 66" respectively recessed as'indicated, so as to permit the cam to be elongated or contracted. Each member of the cam is provided with suitable slots 67 and set screws 67 to secure the cam in adjusted position.

I have provided suitable pattern controlled means to sever and to clamp each of the yarn or yarns thrown out of feeding position. In order to accomplish this result, I provide the plate or bracket 69 arranged within the circle of the needles adjacent their upper ends rising from arm 70, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 7, said plate or bracket being provided with an arm 70 bolted as indicated at 71 to the latch ring. As indicated most clearly in Fig. 7, I provide a severing blade operating lever 72 pivoted at 73 upon the latch ring7 the outer end of said lever being adapted to engage one of the sets of cams 21, 22 of the attern drum.

'The inner end of said lever 2 is provided with a slide arm 74 mounted in suitable guides and having at its lower end a severing blade 75 adapted to co-act with a stationary severing blade 76 mounted on arm 70 and wholly above said late 69, which is depressed at the region o the severing device, as shown in Figs. 1, 11 and 12, to provide a yarn opening under blade 76, and for guiding the fabric moving under it. The play of slide 74 is insuiiicient to bring the upper edge of blade 75 beneath the adjacent lower side of plate 69. Said blade is normally forced into an inactive upper position coincident with blade 76 by spring 77, the pattern drum periodically moving said severing blade into active position. When blade 75 is in the upper position there is a free passage under the closed severing blades for a yarn lying above plate 69 and attached to and rotating with the fabric. The arm 74 is provided at one edge with a pin 78 engaging under stress of gravity or a suitable spring 790 one arm 79 of a lever mounted at 80, the other arm 81 of said lever forming a clamp adapted to bear intermittently against the upper face of said' plate 69, thereby to clamp the yarn or yarns thereunder when the same have been severed. The upper face of the end of arm 81 is chamfered ofll to provide a shoulder 810 to engage, when the clamp and severing device are closed, yarns intern'littently thrown above plate 69 and under guide 82. That yarn feeding finger actuated at each half revolution by lever 51 will deposit its yarn in this position above the plate 69, the float thus attached to the fabric at two nearly opposite points on the circle of needles passing freely under both severing blades and into the space between arm 70 and plate 69 at each revolution. Shoulder 810 serves to prevent too deep an engagement of the leading end of the float under the guide 82. Floats of previous courses pass under the plate 69. Then the severing device is openen, the open jaws of the shearing blades 75, 76 stand across the opening between arm 70 and the upper side of plate 69, ready to receive the next yarn or yarns thrown inwardly of the needles and above the guide plate. Adjacent and circumferentially in the rear of said clamping arm 81, I provide a guide 82 above the yarns passing into the clamp and circumferentiaily in front of said clamp I provide a yarn guide 83.

Preferably I provide means whereby the latch ring holds the needle cylinder down upon its supports, thus securing at all times in the operation of the machine the intended lengthof stitches. For this purpose and as shown in Fig. 17, the latch ring 13 is vertically socketed as indicated at 84 to receive a pin 85 having a head 86 adapted to bear upon the sinker cam cap 87, said head 86 being forced downward by coiled spring 88 in said socket 84. When the latch ring is locked in active or depressed position, the head 86 of the pin 85 bears as described upon the sinker cam cap and thus insures the needle cylinder being positioned at the intended elevation. The pin 85 may be provided at any desired point but preferably it is adjacent the yarn fingers.

The guard or guide formed by the upturned edge 69 and the underside and the edge of the plate 69 is so positioned with respect to the severing blades 75, 76 that it prevents the fabric from working upwardly or inwardly to enter between said blades. I have herein shown this guard formed in part as an upturned flange upon a portion of' the fact that the knitted fabric and particu-l larly the heel and toe pockets have frequently been forced into contact with one or more of said blades and particularly with the point of the movable blade, so as to damage the fabric. By providing said guide, I at all times keep the fabric from contact with the severing blades.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the yarn fingers, their operating levers and the pattern drum therefor are compactly arranged and supported upon the latch ring so as to be movable therewith into active and inactive positions. rIhe term latch ring is herein employed in a generic sense, as within the'scope of my invention the latch ring may form less than a com- `site the knitting cam or cams.

plete circle, particularly at the point oppo- Moreover, the term yarn linger is used in a generic sense to indicate any suitable member for introducing the yarn to the needles of the machine.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims:

l. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a series of yarn feeding lingers, means to operate one of said fingers to supply yarn to less than the entire-,series ofneedles, said means being movable to coperate with one or another of said series, and actuating means fo`1x co-action with said means in any of its adjusted positions.

2. In a knitting machine, knitting needles anda series of yarn feeding fingers, in combination with means for rendering one of sald lingers operative upon less than all the 4needles, said means comprising a movable part whereby any one of a plurality of said fingers may be selected for cooperation with sald means.

n 3. A knitting machine having in combinat1on a `vseries of needles, a series of yarn feeding fingers, means for operating one of sald fingers to supply yarn to less than all of the needles, said means comprising an element changeable at will to different positions to coperate with different yarn feeding fingers in each position, and means for actuating said operating means at predetermined times When in any of its positions.

4. Yarn feeding mechanism fo-r knitting machines having a circle of needles, com-- prising three or more yarn-feeding fingers, means for throwing each of said fingers into and out 0f action, and independent means adjustable to coperate with any one of said fingers for throwing one of said fingers into and out of action upon a segment only of said needles.

5. Yarn feeding means for a knitting machine having a series of needles, comprising a series of yarn feeding fingers, means to throw each of said fingers into and out of action at predetermined times for yarnchanging, and independent means to throw one of said fingers into and out of action upon a portion only of the series of needles for sectional splicing, having a part capa-ble of being positioned to coperate with any one of said yarn-fingers.

6. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a pivoted latch ring, a pattern drum coaxial with the latch ring pivot, a plurality of yarn fingers pivoted upon said latch ring, and a plurality of levers respectively engaging said yarn lingers and acted upon by said pattern drum to render said yarn fingers active and inactive.

7.' Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a piv- 100 oted latch ring, a pattern drum movable with said latch ring, a plurality of yarn fingers carried by said latch ring, and means en` gaging said yarn ngers and said pattern drum to vrender said fingers active and inactive. f

8. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting f machines comprising in combination a series of yarn feeding fingers, pattern mechanism capable of moving said fingers into and out i of operative position at predetermined times,

as for yarn changing, and an adjustable actuating lever for independently moving one of said levers, capable of being posil tioned to act upon any one of a plurality of said feeding fingers, as for sectional splicing.

9. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising a yarn feeding finger,

a lever active thereon and having a movable fulcrum, actuating means for'said lever, and 120 means to shift said fulcrum to move said lever into and out of contact with said actuating means. V

10. Yarn feeding mechanism for circular knitting machines comprising in com-bina'- 125 tion. needles, a latch-rin and means for causlng relative rotation etween said needles and latch-ring, a plurality of yarn feed` mg. fingers-carried by said latch ring, coactmg yarn severing blades, forming a shear I 30 cutter opening toward the direction of approach of said needles and fabric carried thereby, and a fabric guard positioned adjacent to and extending toward the opening between said blades to prevent entry of the fabric between said blades.

11. Ina yarn feeding mechanism for circular knitting machines, the combination with needles and a plurality of yarn fingers, and means to move one or more of said fingers into and out of operative position, of a fabric-guard positioned internally of the needles and near the plane of the forming fabric, the under surface of said guard having a downward depression, and a yarn cutter having a movable element Working adjacent said depression, whereby the forming fabric is prevented from entering said cutter.

12. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a pivated latch ring, a plurality of yarn fingers pivoted upon said latchk ring, a pattern drum and a plurality of levers also mounted upon said latch ring and engaging said pattern drum and said yarn fingers to render the latter active and inactive.

13. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a plurality of yarn feeding fingers, actuating means to throw a yarn feeding finger into action upon less than an entire circle of needles, and means permitting said actua` ting means to be rendered active upon any one of a plurality of said yarn feeding fingers.

14. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a plurality of yarn feeding fingers, a lever, means to actuate said lever to render the yarn finger operated thereby, active upon less than the entire circle of needles, and means permitting said lever to be rendered active interchangeably upon any one of a series of said fingers.

15. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising a plurality of yarn feeding fingers, a lever directly active upbn one at least of said series of fingers, means to move said lever bodily into and out of operative position, and a cam upon a rota- 4table part of the knitting mechanism to act-nate said lever, when in operative position.

16. In a circular knitting machine the combination with the circle of needles of yarn fingers, an internal guard above the forming fabric, and a yarn severing device, having its acting severing parts Wholly above the adjacent parts of said guard, near a part of the needle circle remote from said yarn fingers. means to guide yarn from a finger thrown into inactive position above said guard and into said severing device, and a pattern drum and connections therefrom for rendering one o1' more of said yarn fingers inactive and for actuating said severing device, in a )redctermined order.

17. Yarn fee( ing mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a latch ring, a plurality of yarn feeding fingers movably mounted thereon, a pattern drum movable with said latch ring, a yarn severing blade, and operative connections between said pattern drum and said yarn severing blade and said yarn feeding fingers.

18. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a pivoted latch ring, one or more co-axial yarn fingers carried thereby, a patte-rn drum movable with said latch ring pivot. means to impart rotative movement to said pattern drum and means to hold said pattern drum rotating means in an inoperative position upon movement of the latch ring.

19. Yarn feeding mechanism comprising yarn fingers movable into and out of act-ive relation with the needles, pattern mechanism for moving one or more of said fingers in a predetermined order for yarn changing. in combination with means for sectional splicing, comprising a lever positioned opposite one of said fingers. actuating means for said lever, and means for moving said lever bodily into and out of contact with said finger and said actuating means.

20. In a sectional splicing device for knitting machines, a series of pivoted yarn fingers adapted to swing in a vertical plane to enter and remove their yarns from action, a vertical lever,rneans to hold said lever in the plane of one of said fingers, and an actuating device adapted to rock said lever to actuate a yarn finger. in combination with means for bodily moving said lever into and out of operative contact with its actuating device.

21. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a yarn feeding finger movable into andout of active relation with the needles, an actuating device therefor movable into and out of operative relation to said varn feeding finger, a

cam to operate said actuating device, a lever intermediate said cam and actuating device and manually disengageable operative connections between said cam and said lever.

22. A knitting machine having a vertically adjustable needle cylinder and comprising a pivotally mounted latch ring, yarn feeding fingers carried thereby, said latch ring having a spring-pressed portion to engage a part of the needle cylinder, thereby to hold it in determined relation with respect to the needles, when adjusted to change the length of the stitch.

23. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a movably mounted latch ring, a yarn severing blade carried thereby, and a pattern drum mounted to move with said latchring and to act upon said severing blade.

24. In a knitting machine, yarn feeding mechanism comprising a mounting movable into and out of operative relation to the needles and having thereon a plurality of movable yarn feeding fingers, a yarn severing device, and a rotatable pattern drum operatively connected respectively to said fingers and severing device to render them active or inactive, in combination with mechanism for operating said drum comprising an actuating connection, a rotary cam, means for operating said connection from said cam, and pattern controlled means adapted to render said connection active and inactive.

25. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprisingin combination a pivotally mounted latch ring, a pattern drum pivoted co-aXially With said latch ring, a

yarn severing blade, and an operating member therefor mounted upon said latch ring and adapted to be actuated by said pattern drum.

26. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a ivoted latch ring, a plurality of yarn fee ing fin-gers movably mounted thereon, a yarn severing blade, an operating lever therefor mounted upon said latch ring, and a pattern drum movable with said latch ring and adapted to actuate said yarn fingers and lever.

27. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising a pivoted latch ring, a plurality of yarn feeding fingers movably mounted upon said latch ring, a yarn severing blade, an operating lever therefor movably mounted upon said latch ring, a pattern drum mounted co-'aXially With said latch ring, and means to impart step by s tep rotative movement to said pattern drum.

28. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines comprising in combination a latchring and a fabric guard mounted on said latch-rlng and extending substantially parallel with the plane of the forming fabric, a depressed underl surface on said guard to guide the fabric downward locally, a mechanically actuated yarn severing device having a movable element adjacent said depression, and means to operate said device.

29. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines having a circle of needles, comprising independently movable yarn-lingers, an internal fabric guard plate providing a free passage thereabove for a yarn floating across said circle and a yarn severing device mounted to engage a yarn in said passage when in condition to receive the yarn for severing in combination With means normally to hold said device above said passage, and out of engagement With a yarn or yarns therein.

'30. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines having a circle of needles, comprising a series of independently movable yarn fin ers, an internal fabric-guard plate provi ing a normally free passage thereabove for a yarn floating across said circle, a yarn clamp coperating with the upper surface of said plate and a yarn severing'device having a cutting member and means to position said member across said passage when about to receive and cut a yarn, in combination With means to move one of said yarn fingers to an .inoperative position and to thereafter actuate said cutting member to cut the yarn.

31. Yarn feeding mechanism for knitting machines having a circle of needles, comprisving a series of independently movable yarnfingers, an internal fabric-guard plate pro'- 4vlding a normally free passage thereabove plate, and a yarn-clamp coperating with said plate having a shoulder on its upper sur face to position a floating splicing yarn,

-When said clamp is in a closed position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY SWINGLEHURST.

Witnesses:

IRVING U. ToWNsEND, ROBERT H. KAMMLER.' 

